1. science
2. mathematics

Spring 2015
President’s Message Think Spring!
engage in scholarly conversations about our practice
and research as Pennsylvania’s mathematics teacher
educators. We look forward to having Christine
Thomas, the current president of AMTE (the national
organization of which PAMTE is an affiliate) as our
symposium’s keynote speaker. As many of you know,
we will be soon be celebrating PAMTE’s tenth
birthday (October 2016); the party
begins at this year’s symposium.
This morning (03/30) four flowers opened in my
living room. The plants on which these flowers
appeared are in the iris family, but the flowers
themselves are as delicate as orchids. I have had the
plants for a number of years and always look forward
to the appearance of the smallest sign that flowers are
on their way. The flowers will
have withered by bedtime tonight
(yes, they are around for exactly
one day!), and I will probably wait
several months for another
flowering cycle to occur. I am
including a picture for you to
enjoy as I invite you to turn your
attention toward spring.
Spring
into
Action!
No
organization can exist without the
enthusiastic involvement of its
membership. I hope that each
member
has
thoughtfully
considered the recent call for
nominations and will participate in
the forthcoming election. Who will
Spring Fever! After months of
be PAMTE’s leaders in its second
lingering
winter
weather—
decade? You will decide! Likewise,
complete with snow, sleet,
have you considered how you can
freezing
rain,
and
frigid
contribute to the symposium
temperatures—who doesn’t have Three of the four flowers were on one
program? Hopefully, you have
spring fever? All of us are looking plant.
read the call (reprinted in this
for the smallest sign of the spring
newsletter) and are thinking “I can
we know is right around the corner. Our disgust with
be part of the symposium this year!” Please send your
winter is complete, and we are secretly looking
ideas to the program committee today. And, if this is
forward to summer when we can complain about the
not your year to contribute to the program, please
heat and humidity!
plan to join us in May for PAMTE’s 9th annual
symposium. Like the flower on my plant, the
Spring Forward! The flurry of PAMTE emails you
symposium is a 24-hour wonder; even so, it remains a
received in March is a sign of new life stirring in
powerful demonstration of the mathematics teacher
PAMTE. All of us are anticipating May’s symposium
educator network that we enjoy as colleagues. I look
at Shippensburg University. We will gather to
forward to seeing you in Shippensburg later this
conduct the business of our statewide organization,
SPRING!
install new officers, welcome new members, and
Tom Evitts, Shippensburg University
PAMTE President
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Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: M. Kathleen (Kathy) Heid
Rose Mary Zbiek, Penn State-University Park
Board of Governors, as well as secretary and
newsletter editor for the Special Interest Group for
Research in Mathematics Education affiliated with
the American Educational Research Association. She
also has been a member of the International
Committee of the Computer Algebra in Mathematics
Education group.
Through her career, Kathy has been a leader
in pressing novice and experienced educators and
scholars to pursue challenging questions that inform
classroom practice and advance their understanding
of mathematics learning and teaching and the
potential of curriculum and professional development.
In particular, Kathy’s leadership in bringing the
power of mathematics technology to the
foreground in research and curriculum
and bridging research and practice has a
30-year history. Her 1984 dissertation
and subsequent journal articles were the
first research published internationally
to illustrate the potential of computer
algebra systems (CAS) use and the
impact of mathematics technology on
curriculum. Her 1988 article appearing
in the Journal for Research in
Mathematics Education (JRME) is the
most often cited work in CAS-related
scholarship. It has been replicated but never replaced
by the work of scholars around the world.
In her development and teaching of
undergraduate and graduate courses, Kathy creates
rich experiences and sets high expectations for both
prospective teachers and emerging researchers. As a
Class of 2000 graduate wrote, “What I learned in her
courses, I still remember today because of the ways
she actively engaged students with the content.”
Kathy will be presented with the award on
April 15 at the opening session of NCTM’s annual
meeting in Boston. As one nominator wrote, “Kathy
is a treasure to our profession—a voice that
constantly presses us to think of the world in which
we are teaching our students to survive and prosper.”
Few people can match her intensity in teaching
mathematics, in teaching mathematics education, and
in teaching others to be leaders who serve.
The National Council of Teachers of
Mathematics (NCTM) Lifetime Achievement Award
is given in honor of not a single event or
accomplishment but the totality of a person’s
leadership, service, and teaching contributions that
richly contribute to NCTM’s mission and members in
particular and to mathematics education in general.
Penn State Distinguished Professor of Education and
PAMTE member, M. Kathleen (Kathy) Heid, is a
2015 recipient of the award.
As a teacher of high school mathematics,
Kathy became an NCTM member in 1970–1971.
During the past 35 years, Kathy has
presented at NCTM annual and
regional meetings more than 80 times,
and she served NCTM in at least 16
ways.
Her
involvement
with
mathematics education organizations
began with conference attendance,
writing for school journals, and
MATHCOUNTS. Publications grew
as Kathy moved from teaching high
school
mathematics
through
a
graduate program at the University of
Maryland and into her current role.
Among the highlights of Kathy’s service to the
Council are her work as a member of the 9–12 writing
team for Principles and Standards for School
Mathematics, her membership on the Board of
Directors (2003–2006) and its Executive Committee,
and her editorship of the Journal for Research in
Mathematics Education (2007–2012). As these items
exemplify, Kathy’s NCTM service integrates vision,
scholarship, and policy with her joy of teaching
mathematics.
Remarkably, Kathy’s NCTM engagement,
service, and leadership existed in parallel with her
commitments to university and state organizations.
She was a prime force in establishing and expanding
undergraduate and graduate mathematics education at
Penn State. Kathy has been active in the Pennsylvania
Council of Mathematics in roles as a board member,
yearbook editor, and conference presenter. She also
served as a member of the Mathematical Association
of America’s (MAA’s) Committee on the
Mathematical Education of Teachers and the MAA
PAMTE celebrates Kathy’s award. Kathy is a charter
member of PAMTE.
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Dr. Jane Wilburne Visits Haiti as Part of an Educational Trip
Jane Wilburne, Penn State Harrisburg
I traveled to the city of Saint Marc in Haiti
in January 2015. The purpose of my trip was to
visit an elementary and secondary school founded
by Dr. Rodrigue Mortel, a Penn State Hershey
Medical Center physician. Throughout the week, I
along with several other educators, visited
classrooms, participated in school functions and
celebrations, and had opportunities to explore some
of the surrounding sites of the city.
Saint Marc has a population of
approximately 160,000 and is 2 hours north of the
capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. Fortunately, Saint
Marc did not suffer any destruction from the
earthquake in 2010. However, the city is in great
need of an infrastructure to organize waste
management, sewage, transportation, police, and
postal services. What we take for granted here in
the U.S. is so lacking in countries such as Haiti.
The country is very beautiful and has so much
potential, but they are lacking in resources and
government leadership.
I was so impressed with the schools and all
that Dr. Mortel has accomplished in the past 15
years. Dr. Mortel was born in 1933 and educated
in Haiti. His family lived in a small rented house of
wattle and daub, lacking even the minimal
necessities of water and electricity. When they
were evicted from the shabby dwelling because his
parents could not pay the monthly rent of $4, young
Rodrigue vowed such an indignity would never
again be permitted against his family. Rodrigue
dedicated himself to moving his way through
Haiti’s highly competitive public education
program. He understood that a superior education
would arm him with the tools he needed to make a
better life for himself and his family. He was
fortunate to be accepted into the medical school at
Port-au-Prince and eventually had opportunities for
further training and employment as a physician in
Canada and the United States. Along his journey,
he continually visited his home country and
provided free medical care to his fellow
countrymen.
Continued on next page
Consider sponsoring a student at either the Good
Samaritan or James Stine College in St. Marc, Haiti
Check out: www.highhopesforhaiti.com
3
In 1997, Dr. Mortel returned to Haiti to
create the Good Samaritan Elementary School.
Today the school educates approximately 725
children from grades K–6. In 2010, he formed the
James Stine College for secondary students. They
have 450 students enrolled in grades 9–12 with 42
students in the first graduating class in 2015. Next
year, he plans to open a preschool for 100 threeyear-olds and 100 four-year-olds. His schools are
providing opportunities for children in this
extremely poor area to learn literacy and
mathematics skills.
It was a real pleasure to work with the
students at both schools. Despite the fact that they
mostly speak French, I was able to engage with
them in some mathematical explorations. I played
the 24-game with a group of fifth grade students
and they loved the challenge. The students
appreciated having visitors and loved to show us
what they know. In several classrooms, they sang
songs or recited poems in French for us. The high
school students who were learning English loved
the opportunity to communicate with us to practice
their English skills. Overall, the trip was
enlightening and heartfelt.
If you would like to learn more about the Foundation and
the schools, visit www.highhopesforhaiti.com. Anyone can
sponsor a child at the elementary or secondary school.
Sponsorship goes directly to the foundation and helps
provide breakfast, lunch, uniforms, and schoolbooks and
supplies to an elementary student.
4
PCTM to Hold First Annual
Summer Conference
Registration prices for the conference include a
buffet lunch. Early bird prices, which are now in
effect, are good until June 10. After June 10,
registration prices increase by $10. An additional
increase will be added on for on-site registration.
The registration prices are:
• Early Bird PCTM Member
$60
• Early Bird non-PCTM Member
$75
• Early Bird Pre-Service Teacher
$25
• Speaker (PCTM Member)
$30
• Speaker (non-PCTM Member)
$40
Mary Lou Metz, Indiana University of PA
If you are interested in speaking at the conference,
go to www.pctm.org and click on the link to submit
a proposal. Proposals are due May 3, 2015.
PCTM is changing from a late fall annual
conference to a late summer annual conference in
hopes that more classroom teachers will be able to
attend.
Hope to see you at “Math in the Summer Sun!”
CONFERENCE DATES
This year’s conference will be held Friday to
Saturday, August 14–15, at the Lancaster Host
Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster, PA.
Diane Briars, President of NCTM, will be the
Keynote Speaker to open the conference on the
14th. The Business Meeting Luncheon on Friday,
which is included in the registration fee, will also
include the Awards Ceremony. Tentative plans are
also underway to have a cookout at the end of the
day Friday as well as a movie ‘on the green’ at the
golf course which is part of the resort. On
Saturday, sessions will run from 8 AM–2 PM.
Perhaps the most important news to PAMTE
members is that Pre-Service Teacher Day will be
back in its original form on Friday. (See related
article for more details.)
Hotel rates are very reasonable – in fact you might
want to bring your family who can enjoy the
swimming pools at the resort, the amusement park,
outlet malls down the road, and the many Amish
shops, farms, etc. Rates are $99 per night, which
includes the breakfast buffet. Additional persons
may stay in the room for only $10 per night! Book
your room soon since this is prime tourist season in
Lancaster. A link to the hotel can be found on the
PCTM website at www.pctm.org.
5
Apr. 13-18
2015
NCTM Annual Conference
Boston, MA
May 13-14
2015
PAMTE Annual Symposium
Shippensburg, PA
July 18-19
USACAS9 Annual Conference
Lyndhurst, OH
Aug. 14-15
PCTM Annual Conference
Lancaster, PA
Oct. 21-23
NCTM Regional Conference
Atlantic City, NJ
Pre-Service Teacher Day at PCTM Summer Conference
Mary Lou Metz, Indiana University of PA
Pre-Service Teacher Day will go back to its
original format at the PCTM Annual Conference on
Friday, August 14, at the Lancaster Host Resort and
Conference Center.
to do a presentation with your PSTs. If you are
interested in speaking at the conference, go to
www.pctm.org and click on the link to submit a
proposal. When filling out the proposal, click
on the button for “Pre-Service Teachers” if your
talk is geared towards them. Proposals are due
May 3, 2015.
Although the schedule for the day is not yet
complete the day will include:
• A special session for PSTs conducted by
Diane Briars, President of PCTM
• Lunch included in the registration price
• Opportunities to attend sessions and
workshops and visit the exhibits
• Special sessions/workshops geared for PSTs
• A wrap-up session at the end of the day at
which PSTs will share their favorite lessons
or activities with each other
• Door prizes!
More updates will be sent out before classes end for
the semester reminding you to have your PSTs
register for the conference, to have them sign up to
share a favorite lesson or activity, and to have you
register for the conference and (hopefully) submit a
speaker proposal.
Let’s make this year’s Pre-Service Teacher Day the
most special one yet for our students!
As a PAMTE member there are three ways you can
help:
1) Encourage your pre-service teachers to attend
the conference. In the past 4 years, PSTs have
made up nearly HALF of the attendees at the
PCTM Annual Conference. Let’s continue that
tradition! As a clarification, your current
student teachers who will be graduating in May
WILL STILL BE CONSIDERED PRESERVICE TEACHERS for the conference!
Get them all to register by June 10 to take
advantage of the cheaper registration price
($25).
2) Encourage your PSTs to present a brief lesson
or favorite activity to their peers at the wrap-up
session. Although door prizes are great, PSTs
seem to value these types of take-aways as
gold.
3) Speak at the conference. In particular, we are
looking for PAMTE members to speak on a
topic relevant to the PSTs. OR, you may want
Outdoor photos of flowers and flowering trees in this issue
of the newsletter were taken at various college campuses in
Pennsylvania by editor Sheri Stayton. Here’s hoping that
your campus looks like this soon.
6
Countdown to the 2015 PAMTE Symposium
PAMTE OFFICERS AND
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
PRESIDENT Tom Evitts Shippensburg University PAST PRESIDENT Janet White Millersville University SECRETARY Lynn Columba Lehigh University TREASURER James Preston Slippery Rock University MEMBERSHIP Jane Wilburne Penn State -­‐ Harrisburg NEWSLETTER Sheri Stayton Penn State Graduate Student WEBMASTER James Preston Slippery Rock University MEMBERS Tetyana Berezovski AT LARGE Saint Joseph’s University The PAMTE Symposium program committee
(Kim Johnson, Amanda Thomas and Tyrone
Washington) is accepting proposals for this
year's PAMTE symposium. The dates of the
symposium are May 13-14, 2015. We would
like to have a fantastic line-up of speakers
(including AMTE President Christine Thomas)
and discussions during our annual gathering,
and you can help that happen!
Please submit proposals for presentations or
round table discussions (about anything you
would
like
to
discuss)
to
[email protected] by Sunday,
April 19th. Presentations and round table
discussions are one hour in length. Please
include a title, list of presenters, and a brief
description of your presentation or discussion.
Cynthia Taylor Millersville University
Tyrone Washington Millersville University
In addition to considering your own willingness
to make a presentation or lead a round table, if
you have heard someone speak at another
conference and would like him or her to present
at PAMTE, please suggest his or her name
along with contact information. GRADUATE Karin Lange STUDENT Temple University REPRESENTATIVE
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USACAS9
( 2 ) CAS O R N OT( 2 ) CAS
Computer algebra systems (CAS) have the potential to revolutionize mathematics education at the middle
and secondary level. Experience how CAS can be integrated into Pre-algebra, Algebra 1 & 2, Precalculus,
Calculus, and Geometry.
Attend the 9th INTERNATIONAL Conference on CAS in Secondary Mathematics
Come explore the future of mathematics education!
• Discover how secondary and middle school teachers are using CAS in their own classrooms.
• Get classroom tested ideas developed for CAS-enhanced classrooms.
• Interact with prominent CAS pioneers from the USA and internationally.
The 2015 Conference is dedicated to the memory of Bert Waits.
WHEN:
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Sunday, July 19, 2015
WHERE:
Hawken School
5000 Clubside Road
Lyndhurst, OH 44124
COST:
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(approximately 27 miles from CLE Airport)
Registration: $175 (before May 28, 2015)
$150/person for school/district teams of 2 or more (before May 28, 2015)
$200 (on or after May 28, 2015)
$60 for pre-service university students
(Fee includes continental breakfast, box lunch, and snacks)
Optional Saturday evening tour to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and dinner at
House of Blues–transportation is included: $48
HOTEL:
Embassy Suites Cleveland-Beachwood: www.embassybeachwood.com
$129/night conference rate available until June 29, 2015 or until sold out
(Rate is available for reservations July 16 to July 19 2015)
Book directly online through hotel link at http://usacas.org
1-800-317-1960 Mention group code "HSM" for conference rate
HOW:
On-line registration, hotel information, and updates are available at http://usacas.org
Register directly at www.hawken.edu/usacas-9
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Recruit Colleagues for PAMTE!
Announcement
Jane Wilburne, Penn State Harrisburg
As a member of PAMTE, consider promoting the
benefits of PAMTE to colleagues and other
mathematics education professionals.
If every
member reached out to recruit one new member,
PAMTE would be that much stronger. Consider
writing a personal email to a colleague in the
mathematics education field to enjoy the benefits of a
dynamic organization focused on the teaching and
learning of mathematics.
Jane Wilburne will be the Chair of the
Editorial Panel for NCTM's journal,
Teaching Children Mathematics, for 20152017.
If you have items you are
considering for the journal, feel free to
touch base with Jane for input.
Dr. Jane M. Wilburne
Penn State Harrisburg
[email protected]
717-948-6212
Here is a sample email to send:
Dear XXX,
I would like to invite you to become a member of the
Pennsylvania Association of Mathematics Teacher
Educators (PAMTE) (PAMTE.org). PAMTE is the
state affiliate of the national AMTE (AMTE.net)
organization focused on the improvement of
mathematics teacher education. PAMTE’s members
are mathematics teacher educators from across the
state who are devoted to the preservice education and
professional development of K-12 teachers of
mathematics. PAMTE has a yearly symposium that
offers opportunities to meet other mathematics
educators, hear from keynote speakers, and share
lessons, activities, and resources to enhance your
mathematics
education-related
courses
and
professional development programs. The symposium
is a great time for graduate students to connect with
each other, share their research, and learn from other
mathematics educators. Yearly membership is $20 for
full time members, $10 for graduate students.
Please check out the PAMTE website at
www.pamte.org for more information and to access
the membership application. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
XXX (you)
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Visit the PAMTE website at
www.pamte.org